May 2004
Kanye West releases his first major breakout hit, “Jesus Walks.” The single about a complicated relationship with Christ went on to win a Grammy.
February 2006
West appears on the cover of Rolling Stone wearing a crown of thorns. The hip-hop star said, “My misery is your pleasure.” Subtle.
February 2013
West and producer Rick Rubin create the artist’s most dark and lyrically controversial album to date, featuring a persona he calls “Yeezus.”
August 2013
On the talk show of future mother-in-law, Kris Jenner, West proclaims he’s a Christian and wants to raise his family with Christian values.
October 2013
As part of the Yeezus tour, an actor portraying Jesus joins West on stage in an in-show skit, telling him, “I came here to make dead people alive.”